X-ray examination apparatus including a dosimeter

• US 20050173640A1
• Filed: 04/29/2003
• Published: 08/11/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 05/03/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Original Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Inventors: Overdick, Michael, Nascetti, Augusto
• Granted Patent: US 7,233,004 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 250/370.90
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/032 Transmission computed tomography [CT]
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/4233 using matrix detectors
• CPC Class Codes: G01T 1/026 Semiconductor dose-rate meters
• CPC Class Codes: G01T 1/2928 using solid state detectors

Abstract

The invention relates to an arrangement which includes a radiation source (1) and a radiation sensor device (3) for forming image signals (Bn), the radiation sensor device (3) being associated with a read-out circuit arrangement (4) for the amplification/processing of image signals (Bn) read out, there also being provided at least one dosimeter (42) which is arranged to measure a radiation dose. The invention also relates to an X-ray examination apparatus and to a method for the processing of X-ray images. In order to realize an arrangement and a method whereby a high image quality can be achieved for the acquired images, it is proposed to apply a dose signal (Dn), produced by at least one dosimeter (42), to at least the read-out circuit arrangement (4).

Claims

1. An apparatus including:

a radiation source and a radiation sensor device for forming image signals, the radiation sensor device being associated with a read-out circuit arrangement for the amplification/processing of image signals read out, there also being provided at least one dosimeter which is arranged to measure a radiation dose, and in which at least one dose signal generated by the dosimeter can be applied at least to the read-out circuit arrangement.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the dosimeter is integrated in the radiation sensor device.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the radiation sensor device consists of a plurality of single sensors.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein at least one dosimeter is associated with at least one sensor of the radiation sensor device.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein at least one dosimeter generates each time a dose signal from groups of sensors and that group-wise influencing of the image signals formed by the group of sensors takes place in the read-out circuit arrangement.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the dose signal can be applied to the read-out circuit arrangement no later than simultaneously with the image signals of the radiation sensor device.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein parameters of the read-out circuit arrangement can be influenced by means of the dose signal.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein parameters of the image signals of the sensors can be changed in dependence on the dose signal.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the totality of image signals of the radiation sensor device can be changed in dependence on the dose signal.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the image signals can be applied to the read-out circuit arrangement in dependence on whether a threshold value of the dose signal is exceeded or not reached.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein in the radiation sensor device at least one mean dose signal can be formed for at least two single sensors from the dose signals generated by the dosimeters.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein in the read-out circuit arrangement the dose signal of a sensor can be subtracted from the image signal associated with this sensor, the resultant difference signal being intended for further processing.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the radiation source is constructed as an X-ray tube and the radiation sensor device is constructed as an X-ray detector.

14. An X-ray examination apparatus which includes an X-ray tube, an X-ray detector for generating image signals, a read-out circuit arrangement which is associated with the X-ray detector in order to amplify/process image signals read out, at least one dosimeter which is arranged to measure a radiation dose, and an image processing device, characterized in that a dose signal generated by the dosimeter can be applied to the read-out circuit arrangement and/or the image processing device.

15. A method for processing X-ray images, in which method X-rays emitted by an X-ray tube are conducted to an X-ray detector which is arranged to generate image signals, comprises sensors and is associated with at least one dosimeter, the dosimeter generating at least one dose signal which is indicative of the intensity of X-rays, said dose signal being applied to a read-out circuit arrangement no later than simultaneously with the image signals in order to influence individual parameters of the image signals of the individual sensors and/or to influence the totality of image signals.

16. A method of forming X-ray images comprising the steps of:

emitting X-rays from a source;

detecting the emitted X-rays;

using at least a portion of the detected X-rays to form image information;

gathering X-ray dosage information; and

using the gathered dosage information with the image information to influence individual parameters of the image information prior to forming an image.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the step of using the gathered dosage information occurs substantially simultaneously with the step of using the detected X-rays to form image information.